Enjoy all of the conveniences of Vancouver's most elite and central neighbourhood while living in an historic property. This 1913 Craftsman-style mansion was built in the heart of Shaughnessy by the men who built the Canadian Pacific Railroad and the city of Vancouver. The distinctive hexagonal granite blocks of which it is built were the ballast blocks in the ships that came from England and took BC timber back to Europe. Now fully modernized and furnished as a private museum, the mansion can accommodate anything from a large family to a sit-down dinner for 40.

Behind tall hedges that maintain the property's privacy lies an extensive series of garden rooms, each with its own romantic character and mature trees. The main house is ringed by beautiful porches and crowned by a distinctive turret.

Up a wide granite staircase and beyond the mahogany and cut glass front door, a blazing fireplace welcomes guests into the foyer. On both sides, through stained glass doors, are the luxurious entertaining rooms of the house, lined with cherry paneling, clothed in silk draperies and leather and velvet upholstery, and floored in deep carpets above the original dark oak floorboards. Throughout the house, an extensive collection of antique toys and kaleidoscopes fills display cases and cabinets. The service area of the house includes an incredible kitchen, complete with larder and butlers pantry, perfect for a large cooking staff or an informal meal at the 18-person breakfast table. For larger scale entertaining, a freestanding BC Fir-lined ballroom can seat 40 for dinner, or the 9 sets of French doors can be thrown open to the gardens for a larger cocktail party. Please check with your agent regarding the use of the ballroom for your functions. It is not included within the rental package.

Upstairs, the display cabinet-lined 2nd floor hall leads to 4 bedrooms. The master suite commands its own private sleeping porch, while inside is a romantic king-size canopy bed and 2 seating areas. An en-suite bathroom, complete with sumptuous clawfoot cast-iron tub, and a walk-in closet makes this a self-sufficient suite of rooms. Similarly the green-suite also has its own sleeping porch and bathroom, with a tile-glazed fireplace to warm the queen-size spindle-bed. Two more bedrooms, each with their own distinctive character and queen-sized beds, share a view to the east, and a 3rd bathroom.

Up another staircase, lies the vaulted library, a huge room that can sleep 4 in 2 set of bunk beds. A huge Oculus window looks out on the ocean and the north shore mountains, while a 6th bedroom provides a more private experience.

If you ever choose to leave the house, you'll find yourself surrounded by the manicured gardens and elegant houses of First Shaughnessy, and a short walk from some of Vancouver's best shopping. Three blocks to the east are the galleries, antique stores, and tony shops of Granville Street, and two blocks to the west are the fascinating boutiques and restaurants of Arbutus. Three of Vancouver's most famous, and most delicious restaurants are within a 15 minute stroll, while Broadway offers every imaginable cuisine. For those who choose to cook, Meinhardts Food Emporium, Choices, and Safeway can all fill your grocery list.

As you would expect of the neighborhood built by the men who built Vancouver, Shaughnessy lies at the centre of the major Olympic venues. The hushed streets of the neighbourhood are ideally surrounded by 4 major east-west and north-south arteries, each of which is serviced by public transport.

Please note that there is a separate caretaker or renter residence on the property.